Age & Residency Exemptions
Last verified against uscis.gov on August 26, 2026.
Long-term permanent residents get real accommodations at the naturalization interview. Here’s what each provision actually changes.
65/20: a shorter, easier civics test — and the language exemption too
If you are 65 or older and have held a green card for at least 20 years, USCIS lets you study only a reduced list of 20 questions (marked with an asterisk in the official materials) instead of the full bank. You’re still asked up to 20 questions on the 2025 test or 10 on the 2008 test and need the same number correct to pass — the difference is that every question asked comes from this shorter, easier-to-study list. Because 65/20 also clears the (lower) age-and-residency bar for 55/15, you get that provision’s native-language and English-test waiver as well.
55/15 and 50/20: take the test in your own language
These two provisions don’t shorten the question list — they let you take the civics test in your native language instead of English, with an interpreter. You qualify for 55/15 if you are 55+ years old and have held a green card for 15+ years, or for 50/20 if you are 50+ with 20+ years as a permanent resident. Both exemptions also waive the English reading, writing, and speaking requirement.
65/20 question list — 2025 test
- What is the supreme law of the land?
- How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
- What is the economic system of the United States?
- Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
- What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
- The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
- What is the name of the President of the United States now?
- What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
- Who vetoes bills?
- What is the highest court in the United States?
- Who is the governor of your state now?
- What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
- Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
- Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
- What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?
- Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
- Name three national U.S. holidays.
65/20 question list — 2008 test
- What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
- What is the economic system in the United States?
- Name one branch or part of the government.
- What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
- Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?
- In what month do we vote for President?
- What is the name of the President of the United States now?
- What is the capital of your state?
- What are the two major political parties in the United States?
- What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
- How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
- When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
- Who was the first President?
- What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
- Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
- What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?
- What is the capital of the United States?
- Where is the Statue of Liberty?
- Why does the flag have 50 stars?
- When do we celebrate Independence Day?
This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. For official eligibility rules, see USCIS’s exemption guidance.